Before you read on I want to explain that I did not come up with all of these ideas. Most of them I found on Pinterest! In fact, after creating several money-savvy boards on Pinterest, I realized that I would love to write about this stuff because, honestly, it makes me super happy to save money! I know I inherited this from my Mom - there must be some money-saving gene scientists have not discovered yet.
Growing up, we hardly EVER ate fast food! If we did, we thought that we all died and went to heaven! Being the mom of seven kids, I am sure that it would have been a lot easier for her to just buy everyone dollar hamburgers at McDonalds and get lunch/dinner overwith - but she would not do that! This is not only because my mom was a nurse and very health conscious, but because she took every opportunity to save money (even if it was inconvenient for her). I have learned this life hack from watching my Mom: "Why buy it if you can make it?"
So, if I can find something to DIY instead of buy - I'm going for it! - as long as it is cost-effective. There are some DIY things on Pinterest that are more expensive to make than to just buy at the store because some people are simply trying to "live green," use less plastic, not use any harsh chemicals, or eat completely preservative and additive free food - I don't care about any of that! I only care about saving money! So all of the things on this list, while they may not be completely "natural," will save you hundreds of dollars a year if you make them instead of buying them!
To coin the words of my dear pal Ben Franklin: "A penny saved is a penny earned." Live by this philosophy and you will find yourself a lot richer. We were completely oblivious to how much money we wasted on frivolous things until we stopped buying them! Some of these items are easy to make while some of them require more time invested, but I have found all of these to be totally worth it for the peace of mind and satisfaction they offer in exchange for a little bit of effort!
Now, if you are an extreme couponer, you probably know how to get most of the things on this list for free. But for me and all of the other people who are not all that into couponing - here are twenty things you probably didn't know you could make yourself instead of buy.
With each "Recipe" that I have found on Pinterest I will include the link as well as any modifications I have personally made:
1. Laundry Detergent
Pros: This literally comes down to 2 cents per load! TWO PENNIES! $0.02!! And it makes 5 gallons at a time so you don't have to make it again for a looooooooooooong time - which is nice :) This one is totally worth it!
Cons: You need to have a 5 gallon bucket to mix the ingredients in (or something that holds 5 gallons of liquid - I used a cooler that I washed out). It also doesn't smell as good as store bought laundry detergent so I always add Gain Fireworks (and I usually use two $1.00 off coupons with iBotta and Checkout 51 - making it only $1.00 per bottle - which lasts me at least 2 months) This makes it smell so fresh and so clean CLEAN! (Even though the detergent is what actually CLEANS the clothes) But again, I am weird, so if it doesn't smell like manufactured perfumes - then it's not clean!
2. Dishwasher Detergent
Pros: You don't have to make these into "tabs" like the recipe says. I just mix it up and after it dries I pour it into a container and just use as powdered detergent.
Cons: This is a small batch so I usually have to remake it every three months or so. Also, if you have hard water, you might have to add something to it so it will it will not leave mineral deposits on your glasses. Thankfully, we do not have this problem and it works great for us!
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Pros: I haven't made this one yet but it looks super easy! All you need is apple peels, sugar, and water! It is also unpasteurized and will grow a scoby which you can use to make homemade kombucha : )
Cons: It takes 2 weeks for the vinegar to ferment and you have to save the peels from at least 6 apples - but I like to eat the peels : (
4. Toothpaste
Pros: Other than the peppermint oil, all this toothpaste uses are things that I already had on hand! Baking Soda, Coconut Oil, Sea Salt, and water! Since it is summer and our house is hotter I found out I didn't even need to add the water - but I definitely will during the winter or it will be too thick from the coconut oil solidifying.
Cons: It tastes gross to me (probably because I used peppermint extract instead of the essential oil so it tastes very much like baking soda mixed with alcohol) Some homemade toothpaste recipes add stevia to make it taste better but I feel weird about putting sweetener on my teeth when I am supposed to be cleaning them!
5. Mouthwash
Pros: It is super cheap to make and actually whitens your teeth at the same time!
Cons: It is not anticavity or enamel building - in fact, I read that you have to be careful how much hydrogen peroxide you expose your teeth to! It also tastes like alcohol to me because I used the peppermint extract again instead of peppermint oil. I'm sorry I am just too cheap to buy essential oils! I also did not add the stevia because, again, I think that is counterintuitive to cleaning my teeth.
6. Granola
Pros: This recipe is endlessly customizable! I actually add ground flax and hemp seed for extra protein! You can add whatever you want, there are no preservatives or additives, and it is soooooo much cheaper than buying granola at the store!
Cons: You have to make it before you can eat it : (
7. Windex
Pros: This is unbelievably cheap and it works BETTER than windex in my humble opinion. It only uses 1 tablespoon of Dawn and 1/4 cup vinegar per EVERY 2 QUARTS! I also use it for cleaning the shower, counter, and pretty much everything!
Cons: You have to have a large container to store the leftover solution in and you have to have an empty spray bottle.
8. Toilet Bowl Cleaner - just use BLEACH
Pros: It is super cheap! You only have to use 1-2 Tablespoons per toilet bowl.
Cons: It smells like bleach. I usually burn a candle or spray some other yummy smelling cleaner in order to counteract this.
9. Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Pros: The orange peels give it antibacterial properties and make it smell yummy! It is also very cheap - you can even dilute this solution with water because it is so concentrated (and that makes it even cheaper!!) I also want to try this with lemon peels and grapefruit peels.
Cons: You have to wait two weeks until it is ready : (
10. Carpet Freshener
Pros: The Borax in this is known to fight against dust mites and fleas! It also makes the room smell fresh and clean.
Cons: I actually never made this but I pinned it because we used to have carpet (we have tile and hardwood now)
11. Febreeze
Pros: This is so brilliant!
Cons: It doesn't have any anti-allergen properties.
12. Shampoo
Pros: This is so much cheaper than expensive "healthy" hair care products and so much better for your hair!
Cons: I haven't tried this yet - I am nervous because I have oily hair. But I want to try it!!
13. Liquid Hand Soap
Pros: This is only 2.5 cents per cup to make and you can make it smell however you like!
Cons: It is not antibacterial if you just use Ivory like me, but you could add lavender essential oil or just use an antibacterial bar soap as the base to solve that problem.
14. Deodorant
Pros: This is so much healthier and cheaper than store bought deodorant! And you can make it smell however you want! This is a great way to put your leftover candle wax to good use : )
Cons: You HAVE to melt the wax and then wipe of all utensils/dishes before the wax dries or you will have to scrape it off which is not fun!
15. Ant-killer
Pros: This really works! Believe me - dead ants everywhere outside and then more ants bring the dead ants back to the nest to eat them and they get poisoned from eating the dead ants! Muhahaha the power!
Cons: THIS COULD BE HARMFUL TO PETS (especially small dogs) because of the Borax - it can do kidney damage if ingested. Also, you have to pick up cotton balls from outside about 1 week later.
16. Insect Repellent
Pros: No harmful or harsh chemicals!
Cons: I haven't made this yet but I definitely want to do this once we have kids!
17. Junk Food
Pros: This will save sooooo much money on groceries by cutting out "impulse buys." And while most homemade "junk food" is still not very nutritious - you at least don't have to worry about preservatives or unknown ingredients. There are so many yummy and healthy snacks on Pinterest that are cheaper to make at home than buy at the store!
Cons: You have to make them - this is why they are not "impulse buys!"
18. Greeting Cards
Pros: You can personalize the card for the recipient far better than any store bought card! You know them best! (Or at least better than the person who is writing the generic greeting cards)
Cons: Card stock or some other thick paper is a must and this can be expensive to buy a large pack. I am so blessed to always have people from my work and church constantly giving me craft supplies!! It also takes more time to make a card than to buy one.
19. Protein Bars
Pros: These are very healthy as well as customizeable! The store bought ones can also take a huge chunk out of your grocery bill - but these do not!
Cons: You have to make them ahead of time. It is also hard to figure out the nutrition facts per bar if not already listed on the web page. It is just nice to know : )
20. Milk - just buy powdered milk
Pros: This saves a lot of money!! We only use milk for baking and cooking - not drinking and we do not eat cereal for breakfast. Therefore, we never tell a difference in taste between powdered milk and fresh milk anyway - so why pay more?
Cons: I wouldn't drink it plain but when cooked or baked into things I can't taste a difference!
I hope that these suggestions were helpful! Let me know in the comments below something that you or your mom DIY instead of buy!
Happy Mom Monday! A big thank you to Jane Ellis (my wonderful mother) who taught me not to be afraid to make things instead of buying them! I love you!
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